Berry Picking Season : BEGINS IN WOODSTOCK

The feel of the warm sun and first summer breezes announce the arrival of summertime, and that means berry picking time in Woodstock. Known as the region’s weekend destination, families head there throughout the summer to visit the berry farms and pick fresh berries. After a day selecting luscious fruit for the family to enjoy, visitors can head to the historic town square and spend the rest of the day—or the weekend—enjoying the country while close to the city.

        The berry farms around Woodstock also offer organic raspberries, aronia berries (chokeberries) and strawberries during berry picking season.

        This blueberry pie recipe is a family recipe from McCann Berry Farm, located at 18110 Kishwaukee Valley Road, in Woodstock. U-Pick berry picking begins in early July on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thanks to Bob and Mary McCann for sharing this family favorite.

 

Blueberry Pie

Yields: 1 pie

Double pie crust

2 cups fresh picked blueberries

2 cups fresh or frozen peaches

¼ cup minute tapioca

¾ cup sugar

1 Tbsp lemon juice

Preheat oven at 350° F.

Mix the fruit, tapioca, sugar and lemon juice in a bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes. (Family secret: Allow the mixture to sit so the juice combines and the sugar dissolve. If the sugar is not dissolved, it will all sit in the bottom of the pie.)

Tip: Add a pinch of nutmeg. “It just adds a little something.”

After allowing the fruit filling to sit, add the filling mix into the pie shell and cover with top crust and pinch edges of top and bottom crust together.

Tip: Brush top crust with milk. This will help the pie crust brown and get flakey.

Cut an inch-long hole in the center of the top crust to provide ventilation.

Depending on the oven, bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees. The pie is done when the fruit mixture is bubbling through the ventilation hole in the center of the top crust.

Allow to cool, then slice and enjoy fresh blueberry pie.

 

For more information, call 815-568-8810, visit McCannBerryFarm.com and RealWoodstock.com.

Charles Colley is the director of business development at a5 branding + digital. For more information, visit a5.com.